Journalist and former CNN anchor Don Lemon sparked controversy over the weekend when he appeared on Bill Maher’s podcast, Club Random, and made a bold statement about Black support for Donald Trump and the MAGA movement.
During the conversation, Maher pressed Lemon on whether he believed a Black person could sincerely support Trump and MAGA.
“I don’t think that you can be Black and be a rational MAGA person,” Lemon responded.
While Lemon clarified that he believes it’s possible to be Black and a Republican, he argued that supporting Trump’s MAGA movement, given its history and rhetoric, is irrational for Black Americans.
Lemon suggested that Black MAGA supporters receive disproportionate attention from media and conservatives because their views are atypical within the Black community.
LEMON: “I don't think that you can be black and be a rational MAGA person.”
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) March 16, 2025
MAHER: “I think they would find that very insulting.”
LEMON: “ Well I mean, the truth is often insulting.” pic.twitter.com/mYuCsHntjA
“If you become a Black MAGA person, it’s like, whoa, let’s book this person. Let’s put them on television.”
He claimed that these individuals often serve as “props” for right-wing media, gaining access to platforms where they can amplify Trump’s messaging despite knowing, in Lemon’s view, that Trump is dishonest.
Maher, known for his contrarian takes, challenged Lemon’s assertion, saying that Black MAGA supporters would find it insulting to be dismissed as irrational.
Lemon, however, stood firm:
“Well, I mean, the truth is often insulting.”
This comment further fueled debate online, as critics and supporters alike reacted to his argument.
Supporters of Lemon argued that Black MAGA supporters often ignore Trump’s past racially charged rhetoric and policies that disproportionately harm Black communities.
Critics accused Lemon of arrogance and gatekeeping, arguing that Black Americans, like anyone else, should be free to support any political movement without their intelligence or rationality being questioned.
Some conservatives, including Black Trump supporters, took to social media to push back against Lemon’s comments, accusing him of elitism and ignoring Black voices that do not align with his worldview.
Lemon has long been a vocal critic of Donald Trump and the MAGA movement.
The question remains: Is it fair to label Black MAGA supporters as irrational, or is Lemon dismissing a valid perspective within Black America?
